Packaging Matters: Singapore's Food Packaging Story from the Early 20th Century

This exhibition explores the world of food packaging in Singapore, from the early bottling and canning factories in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, to the light industries of the 1960s and 70s when food was manufactured in factories. Drawing from the museum’s rich artefact collections, Packaging Matters traces the development of packaging technologies in the context of new retail spaces such as supermarkets, as well as the design identities of local food brands. Featuring compelling stories from pioneers, it also presents the various players that have shaped Singapore’s complex food packaging history, from producers and designers to retailers and consumers, and explores the future of packaging and eco-friendly practices towards reducing our environmental footprint.